U.S. patent number 10,227,120 [Application Number 15/894,351] was granted by the patent office on 2019-03-12 for retrofittable watercraft propulsion device.
The grantee listed for this patent is Mike Ajello. Invention is credited to Mike Ajello.
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United States Patent |
10,227,120 |
Ajello |
March 12, 2019 |
Retrofittable watercraft propulsion device
Abstract
A retrofittable watercraft propulsion device enables motorized
propulsion and maneuvering of a watercraft occupied by a user. The
retrofittable watercraft propulsion device includes an elongated
shaft, an impeller pump, a handle, a control input device, a
portable power source, a swivel bracket, and a microprocessor. The
elongated shaft submerges the impeller pump below the waterline and
provides support for the user while the watercraft is in motion.
The impeller pump harnesses the water and generates thrust to
propel and maneuver the watercraft. The control input device allows
the user to throttle or brake the impeller pump. The portable power
source supplies electrical energy to the microprocessor and the
impeller pump. The swivel bracket swivels the elongated shaft and
redirects the thrust of the impeller pump. Finally, the
microprocessor controls the impeller pump based on how the user
operates the control input device.
Inventors: |
Ajello; Mike (Anaheim, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ajello; Mike |
Anaheim |
CA |
US |
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Family
ID: |
62488298 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/894,351 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20180162506 A1 |
Jun 14, 2018 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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15649573 |
Jul 13, 2017 |
10017233 |
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62361834 |
Jul 13, 2016 |
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62550285 |
Aug 25, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63H
5/125 (20130101); B63H 5/14 (20130101); B63H
21/22 (20130101); B63H 5/07 (20130101); B63H
20/007 (20130101); B63B 32/10 (20200201); B63H
25/02 (20130101); F02B 61/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B63H
5/07 (20060101); F02B 61/04 (20060101); B63B
35/79 (20060101); B63H 21/22 (20060101); B63H
25/02 (20060101); B63H 5/125 (20060101); B63H
20/00 (20060101); B63H 5/14 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;440/6,101 ;416/74 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Olson; Lars A
Parent Case Text
The current application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application
of a U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/649,573 filed on
Jul. 13, 2017. The U.S. non-provisional application 15/649,573
claims a priority to a U.S. provisional application Ser. No.
62/361,834 filed on Jul. 13, 2016.
The current application also claims a priority to a U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 62/550,285 filed on Aug. 25, 2017.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A retrofittable watercraft propulsion device comprises: an
elongated shaft; an impeller pump; a handle; a control input
device; a portable power source; a swivel bracket; a
microprocessor; the elongated shaft comprises a first shaft end and
a second shaft end; the impeller pump being connected adjacent to
the first shaft end; the handle being integrated into the elongated
shaft, offset from the second shaft end; the control input device
being laterally mounted onto the handle; the control input device
being electronically connected to the microprocessor; the
microprocessor being electronically connected to the impeller pump;
the microprocessor and the portable power source being housed
within the elongated shaft; the portable power source being
electrically connected to the impeller pump; the swivel bracket
being integrated into the elongated shaft, offset from the impeller
pump; and a rotation axis of the impeller pump being positioned
perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft.
2. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 1 comprises: a grip; and the grip being connected adjacent to
the second shaft end.
3. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 1 comprises: the impeller pump comprises an impeller, an
annular guard, a main body, a motor, and a hydrodynamic fairing;
the microprocessor being electronically connected to the motor; the
motor being housed within the main body; the impeller being
torsionally connected to a rotor of the motor; the impeller being
positioned adjacent to the main body; the annular guard being
mounted adjacent to the main body; the impeller being encircled by
the annular guard; and the hydrodynamic fairing being connected
adjacent to the main body, opposite the impeller.
4. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 1 comprises: the handle comprises a plurality of finger
grooves; the control input device comprises a variable speed
trigger and a safety stop; each the plurality of finger grooves
being serially positioned along the longitudinal axis of the
elongated shaft; the variable speed trigger being mounted adjacent
to the plurality of finger grooves; and the safety stop being
mounted adjacent to the plurality of finger grooves, opposite the
variable speed trigger.
5. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 1 comprises: the handle further comprises a first flange and
a second flange; the first flange and the second flange being
laterally connected around the elongated shaft; the first flange
and the second flange being positioned opposite to each other
across the plurality of finger grooves; the first flange being
positioned in between the plurality of finger grooves and the
second shaft end; and the variable speed trigger and the safety
stop being positioned adjacent to the first flange.
6. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 1 comprises: a battery chamber; the battery chamber being
integrated into the elongated shaft; and the portable power source
being mounted within the battery chamber.
7. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 6 comprises: an auxiliary power port; the auxiliary power
port being integrated into the battery chamber; and the auxiliary
power port being electrically connected to the impeller pump.
8. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 1 comprises: a digital display; a voltage sensor; a speed
sensor; the digital display being laterally mounted onto the
elongated shaft; the speed sensor and the voltage sensor being
housed within the elongated shaft; the speed sensor being
electronically connected to the microprocessor; the portable power
source being electrically connected to the voltage sensor; the
voltage sensor being electronically connected to the
microprocessor; and the microprocessor being electronically
connected to the digital display.
9. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 1 comprises: the swivel bracket comprises an offsetting arm
and a connecting pin; the offsetting arm being laterally connected
to the elongated shaft, offset from the impeller pump; the
offsetting arm being positioned perpendicular to the elongated
shaft; the connecting pin being connected perpendicular to the
offsetting arm; and the connecting pin and the elongated shaft
being positioned opposite each other along the offsetting arm.
10. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 1 comprises: the elongated shaft further comprises a first
telescoping tube, a second telescoping tube, and a locking
mechanism; the first telescoping tube being slidably engaged into
the second telescoping tube; and the locking mechanism being
operatively integrated into the slidable engagement between the
first telescoping tube and the second telescoping tube, wherein the
locking mechanism is used to fix the first telescoping tube and the
second telescoping tube at a variety of offsetting distances.
11. A retrofittable watercraft propulsion device comprises: an
elongated shaft; an impeller pump; a handle; a control input
device; a portable power source; a swivel bracket; a
microprocessor; the elongated shaft comprises a first shaft end and
a second shaft end; the impeller pump comprises an impeller, an
annular guard, a main body, a motor, and a hydrodynamic fairing;
the impeller pump being connected adjacent to the first shaft end;
the handle being integrated into the elongated shaft, offset from
the second shaft end; the control input device being laterally
mounted onto the handle; the control input device being
electronically connected to the microprocessor; the microprocessor
being electronically connected to the impeller pump; the
microprocessor and the portable power source being housed within
the elongated shaft; the portable power source being electrically
connected to the impeller pump; the swivel bracket being integrated
into the elongated shaft, offset from the impeller pump; a rotation
axis of the impeller pump being positioned perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft; the microprocessor being
electronically connected to the motor; the motor being housed
within the main body; the impeller being torsionally connected to a
rotor of the motor; the impeller being positioned adjacent to the
main body; the annular guard being mounted adjacent to the main
body; the impeller being encircled by the annular guard; and the
hydrodynamic fairing being connected adjacent to the main body,
opposite the impeller.
12. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 11 comprises: a grip; and the grip being connected adjacent
to the second shaft end.
13. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 11 comprises: the handle comprises a plurality of finger
grooves; the handle further comprises a first flange and a second
flange; the control input device comprises a variable speed trigger
and a safety stop; each the plurality of finger grooves being
serially positioned along the longitudinal axis of the elongated
shaft; the variable speed trigger being mounted adjacent to the
plurality of finger grooves; the safety stop being mounted adjacent
to the plurality of finger grooves, opposite the variable speed
trigger; the first flange and the second flange being laterally
connected around the elongated shaft; the first flange and the
second flange being positioned opposite to each other across the
plurality of finger grooves; the first flange being positioned in
between the plurality of finger grooves and the second shaft end;
and the variable speed trigger and the safety stop being positioned
adjacent to the first flange.
14. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 11 comprises: a battery chamber; the battery chamber being
integrated into the elongated shaft; and the portable power source
being mounted within the battery chamber.
15. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 14 comprises: an auxiliary power port; the auxiliary power
port being integrated into the battery chamber; and the auxiliary
power port being electrically connected to the impeller pump.
16. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 11 comprises: the swivel bracket comprises an offsetting arm
and a connecting pin; the offsetting arm being laterally connected
to the elongated shaft, offset from the impeller pump; the
offsetting arm being positioned perpendicular to the elongated
shaft; the connecting pin being connected perpendicular to the
offsetting arm; and the connecting pin and the elongated shaft
being positioned opposite each other along the offsetting arm.
17. The retrofittable watercraft propulsion device as claimed in
claim 11 comprises: the elongated shaft further comprises a first
telescoping tube, a second telescoping tube, and a locking
mechanism; the first telescoping tube being slidably engaged into
the second telescoping tube; and the locking mechanism being
operatively integrated into the slidable engagement between the
first telescoping tube and the second telescoping tube, wherein the
locking mechanism is used to fix the first telescoping tube and the
second telescoping tube at a variety of offsetting distances.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to retrofittable watercraft
propulsion device. More specifically, an impeller pump mounted
terminally to an elongated shaft generates directional thrust for
propelling and maneuvering a watercraft occupied by a user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many water sport enthusiasts are people who utilize a variety of
tools to cruise along the water. Kayaks, paddleboards, rafts,
canoes, surfboards, and more enable users to float atop the surface
of oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, and similar large bodies of
water. By choosing the correct watercraft, the user can determine
the amount of physical effort the user would like to apply to the
watercraft, thus determining the level of exercise the user would
like to experience. The user may utilize paddles to row a
watercraft faster or may utilize paddles in conjunction with
currents and waves to propel the watercraft in a desirable
direction.
However, due to the required use of traditional paddles to propel
the watercraft in a specific direction, such water activities are
limited in range and practicality. While useful for fitness
purposes, as a kayak, paddleboard, or other watercraft user gets
tired, it becomes more difficult to move at high speeds through the
water. Paddling is therefore not ideal for users interested in
simply enjoying being in the water or moving at high speeds through
the water. Further, utilizing a paddle on a paddleboard requires
the user to both pull against the paddle arm and shift the user's
weight forward, in order to remain balanced. This limits the speed
at which a user can travel. A water sport enthusiast must remain
relatively close to land to ensure that, in the event of an
emergency, such as sudden storms, the user is not in danger of
being subject to dangerous large waves or increased water
turbulence. What is needed is an improved means of providing
propulsion forces to navigate manually-powered watercraft through
water. What is further needed is a device that can vary in mounting
width to enable use with a variety of watercraft.
The present invention addresses these issues. The present invention
has a motorized propeller mounted to a rod that extends into the
water. The user controls the speed of the propeller through the use
of hand controls on the rod. The user may also control the
direction of propulsion by turning the rod, thereby adjusting the
swivel bracket that connects the propeller rod to the watercraft. A
mounting outrigger bracket secures across the top of kayaks,
paddleboards, and more, providing optimal leverage for supporting
the propeller rod. The propeller rod contains its own battery pack
within the rod apparatus. The present invention further provides an
alternative propeller powering means in the form of an electrical
power unit that can be mounted to the watercraft, providing
long-term power security.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross section view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a detail view taken about circle 5 in FIG. 2 illustrating
the battery chamber, the digital display, and the auxiliary power
source.
FIG. 6 is a detail view taken about circle 6 in FIG. 4 illustrating
the portable power source mounted inside the battery chamber.
FIG. 7 is a detail view taken about circle 7 in FIG. 4 illustrating
the subcomponents of the impeller pump.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a detail view taken about circle 9 in FIG. 8 illustrating
the handle, the first telescoping tube, the second telescoping
tube, and the control input device.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the electronic connections
of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical connections
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing
selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to
limit the scope of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is a retrofittable
watercraft propulsion device enabling motorized propulsion of a
watercraft. The preferred embodiment of the present invention
comprises an elongated shaft 1, an impeller pump 2, a handle 3, a
control input device 4, a portable power source 5, a swivel bracket
6, and a microprocessor 7. The preferred elongated shaft 1 is a
poly-carbonate tube that forms a watertight seal around the
portable power source 5 and prevents water from contacting the
portable power source 5 and the other electrical components.
Further, the elongated shaft 1 also positions the impeller pump 2
below the water line. This allows the impeller pump 2 to generate
the thrust used to propel and maneuver the watercraft. The control
input device 4 throttles the impeller pump 2 and adjusts the thrust
being generated. More specifically, the control input device 4
communicates with the microprocessor 7 that interprets signals from
the control input device 4 and controls the impeller pump 2,
accordingly. To change the direction of the thrust, the elongated
shaft 1 is mounted onto a swivel bracket 6. The swivel bracket 6
physically swivels the impeller pump 2 to change the direction of
the thrust.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 10, the elongated shaft 1 comprises a
first shaft end 11 and a second shaft end 12. Preferably, the first
shaft end 11 corresponds to the portion of the elongated shaft 1
that is submerged below the waterline. As such, the impeller pump 2
is connected adjacent to the first shaft end 11, which positions
the impeller pump 2 below the waterline. In contrast, the second
shaft end 12 is near the portion of the elongated shaft 1 that the
user grips. As such, the handle 3 is integrated into the elongated
shaft 1, offset from the second shaft end 12. When the watercraft
is in motion, the user may hold on to the elongated shaft 1 for
support. Letting go of the handle 3 may cause the user to lose
balance and fall. Thus, the control input device 4 is laterally
mounted onto the handle 3, thereby eliminating any reason to
release the handle 3. Further, the control input device 4 is
electronically connected to the microprocessor 7. The
microprocessor 7 is preferably an integrated circuit programmed to
take inputs from the control input device 4 and output signals that
can be interpreted by the impeller pump 2. More specifically, the
microprocessor 7 sends output signals to an electric speed control
that is responsible for regulating the speed of the impeller pump
2. The electric speed control interprets the signals transmitted by
the microprocessor 7 and changes the speed of the motor 24. The
microprocessor 7 and the portable power source 5 are both housed
within the elongated shaft 1. This prevents moisture from
interfering with the transmission of signals to and from the
microprocessor 7. Preferably, the portable power source 5 is a
lithium-ion battery that powers all of the electrical
components.
Referring to FIG. 11, the portable power source 5 is electrically
connected to the impeller pump 2. More specifically, the portable
power source 5 and the impeller pump 2 are connected by internal
wiring that traverses through the elongated shaft 1. The swivel
bracket 6 is integrated into the elongated shaft 1, offset from the
impeller pump 2. The preferred swivel bracket 6 is a flat plate
mounted perpendicular to the elongated shaft 1. A cylindrical
extrusion is mounted on the plate opposite the elongated shaft 1.
The cylindrical extrusion inserts into a hole in the outrigger
bracket that mounts onto the watercraft. In addition, a rotation
axis of the impeller pump 2 is positioned perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft 1. As a result, the thrust
generated by the impeller pump 2 is oriented parallel to the
watercraft. This allows the watercraft to maneuver forward,
backwards, and side-to-side. The present invention may further
comprise a grip 8 that provides a second holding point for the
user. The grip 8 is connected adjacent to the second shaft end
12.
Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 10, the impeller pump 2 comprises an
impeller 21, an annular guard 22, a main body 23, a motor 24, and a
hydrodynamic fairing 25. By actuating the control input device 4,
the user can control the speed of the motor 24. More specifically,
the control input device 4 generates inputs for the microprocessor
7 which is electronically connected to the motor 24. The
microprocessor 7, in turn, interprets the inputs and controls the
motor 24, accordingly. In the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the motor 24 is an electric motor housed within the main
body 23. The preferred embodiment of the impeller 21 comprises a
plurality of blades mounted onto a central hub. The impeller 21 is
torsionally connected to a rotor of the motor 24. More
specifically, the central hub is torsionally connected to an output
shaft of the motor 24. This radially distributes the plurality of
blades about the rotation axis. Thus, when the impeller 21 starts
spinning, water accelerates past the impeller 21 generating thrust
in the opposite direction. In the preferred embodiment, the
impeller 21 is positioned adjacent to the main body 23. More
specifically the impeller 21 is mounted to the back of the main
body 23. This longitudinally aligns the main body 23 with the
rotation axis of the impeller pump 2. Since the impeller 21 can
cause serious injury if it contacts human flesh, the annular guard
22 is mounted adjacent to the main body 23. Accordingly, the
impeller 21 is encircled by the annular guard 22. Finally, the
hydrodynamic fairing 25 is connected adjacent to the main body 23,
opposite the impeller 21. The hydrodynamic fairing 25 is a cone
shaped fairing mounted to the front of the main body 23. The
hydrodynamic fairing 25 guides the water flow around the main body
23 and into the impeller 21, thereby reducing the overall drag of
the main body 23 and increasing efficiency.
Referring to FIG. 9, the handle 3 comprises a plurality of finger
grooves 31 that enables the user to securely grip the handle 3 for
support. Further, the control input device 4 comprises a variable
speed trigger 41 and a safety stop 42. In the preferred
implementation, each of the plurality of finger grooves 31 is
serially positioned along the length of the elongated shaft 1. As a
result, the user's fingers naturally contact the plurality of
finger grooves 31 when the user grips the handle 3. The variable
speed trigger 41 is mounted adjacent to the plurality of finger
grooves 31. This positions the variable speed trigger 41 below the
user's index finger, thereby eliminating the need to release the
handle 3 to actuate the variable speed trigger 41. The preferred
variable speed trigger 41 uses a potentiometer that allows
incremental throttling of the thrust generated by the impeller pump
2. Thus, the user can gradually increase or decrease the speed of
the watercraft. In contrast, actuating the safety stop 42 abruptly
cuts off all of the power being supplied to the impeller pump 2. As
such, the safety stop 42 is used as a braking mechanism used for an
emergency stop. In the preferred embodiment, the safety stop 42 is
mounted adjacent to the plurality of finger grooves 31, opposite
the variable speed trigger 41. More specifically, the safety stop
42 is positioned below the user's thumb to allow the user to
quickly switch from throttling to braking the impeller pump 2.
To help the user grip onto the elongated shaft 1, the handle 3
further comprises a first flange 32 and a second flange 33. The
first flange 32 and the second flange 33 are laterally connected
along the elongated shaft 1. More specifically, the first flange 32
is positioned facing the first shaft end 11 of the elongated shaft
1, whereas the second flange 33 is positioned facing the second
shaft end 12 of the elongated shaft 1. Further, the first flange 32
and the second flange 33 are positioned opposite to each other
across the plurality of finger grooves 31. As a result, the first
flange 32 and the second flange 33 protrude out of the lateral
surface of the elongated shaft 1 and form barriers that brace the
user's hands. This prevents the user's hands from slipping along
the elongated shaft 1. Further, the first flange 32 and the second
flange 33 secure the user's hand near with the control input device
4. More specifically, the first flange 32 is positioned in between
the plurality of finger grooves 31 and the second shaft end 12.
Similarly, the variable speed trigger 41 and the safety stop 42 is
positioned adjacent to the first flange 32. As such, the second
flange 33 provides a barrier which prevents the user's hand from
slipping, when the user releases the plurality of finger grooves 31
to press the variable speed trigger 41 or the safety stop 42.
Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a battery chamber 9 protects the
portable power source 5 from environmental elements such as
moisture that can damage the electrical circuitry of the portable
power source 5. Preferably, the battery chamber 9 is integrated
into the elongated shaft 1. Further, the portable power source 5 is
mounted within the battery chamber 9. An access panel hingedly
attached to the battery chamber 9 may allow the user to replace the
portable power source 5 housed therein.
Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 11, an auxiliary power port 10
provides power to the impeller pump 2 independent of the portable
power source 5. Accordingly, the auxiliary power port 10 is
integrated into the battery chamber 9. In the preferred embodiment
of the present invention, the auxiliary power port 10 is a socket
allowing a power cord to connect an externally mounted battery pack
to the impeller pump 2. The battery pack is watertight and mounted
on the rear portion of the watercraft. Once the power cord is
connected to the auxiliary power port 10, the auxiliary power port
10 is electrically connected to the impeller pump 2. This enables
the impeller pump 2 to continue operating even when the portable
power source 5 is completely depleted.
Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, a digital display 16 displays
real-time power level of the portable power source 5 and speed of
the watercraft. Power level readings are provided by a voltage
sensor 17 that monitors the real-time energy capacity of the
portable power source 5. A speed sensor 18 measures the speed of
the watercraft in relation to the stationary ground. In the
preferred embodiment, the digital display 16 is laterally mounted
onto the elongated shaft 1. More specifically, the preferred
digital display 16 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel mounted
externally on top of the battery chamber 9. Similarly, the speed
sensor 18 and the voltage sensor 17 is housed within the elongated
shaft 1. For example, the speed sensor 18 may be a flow sensor
submerged below the water line that measures the flow velocity of
the water to determine the speed of the watercraft. Alternately,
the speed sensor 18 may be a global positioning system (GPS)
device, mounted above the waterline, that alternately measures the
speed and the location of the watercraft. As such, the speed sensor
18 is electronically connected to the microprocessor 7.
Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the portable power source 5 is
electrically connected to the voltage sensor 17, and the voltage
sensor 17 is electronically connected to the microprocessor 7. The
microprocessor 7 processes the signals received from the voltage
sensor 17 and determines the battery life and the time remaining
until the portable power source 5 runs out of power. Similarly, the
microprocessor 7 processes the signals from the speed sensor 18 and
determines the speed of the watercraft in miles per hours (mph) or
kilometer per hour (kph) in relation to the ground. The
microprocessor 7 is also electronically connected to the digital
display 16. This allows the microprocessor 7 to display the speed
and the power level on the digital display 16. Alternately, the
digital display 16 may be electronically connected to an electronic
control module capable of reading the power level and determining
the battery life and the remaining run time.
Referring back to FIG. 8, the swivel bracket 6 comprises an
offsetting arm 61 and a connecting pin 62. The preferred embodiment
of the present invention utilizes the outrigger bracket to fasten
the elongated shaft 1 to the watercraft. More specifically, the
outrigger bracket positions the elongated shaft 1 besides the
watercraft. The offsetting arm 61 is mounted perpendicular to the
elongated shaft 1 and is longitudinally aligned to the impeller
pump 2. The offsetting arm 61 allows the user to point the impeller
pump 2 to the front, side, or rear of the watercraft. This is done
by physically rotating elongated shaft 1 about the connecting pin
62. The user can change the direction of the thrust generated by
the impeller pump 2 by changing the direction of the offsetting arm
61. The connecting pin 62 pivotally connects the elongated shaft 1
to the outrigger bracket. As such, the connecting pin 62 is
connected perpendicular to the offsetting arm 61. Further, the
connecting pin 62 and the elongated shaft 1 is positioned opposite
each other along the offsetting arm 61, so that the present
invention allows for some workable clearance between the impeller
pump 2 and the watercraft.
Referring back to FIG. 9, in the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the length of the elongated shaft 1 can be
adjusted according to the height of the user. As such, the
elongated shaft 1 further comprises a first telescoping tube 13, a
second telescoping tube 14, and a locking mechanism 15. The grip 8
is terminally mounted on the first telescoping tube 13. Further,
the first telescoping tube 13 is slidably engaged into the second
telescoping tube 14, so that the user can raise or lower the grip 8
to a desired position. For example, a taller user may extend the
first telescoping tube 13 out of the second telescoping tube 14 to
position the grip 8 at a chest-level height, in easy reach of the
user. Alternately, a shorter user may lower the first telescoping
tube 13 into the second telescoping tube 14 to position the grip 8
in easy reach of the user. Once the first telescoping tube 13 is
raised or lowered to the desired position, the locking mechanism 15
locks the length of the first telescoping tube 13. As such, the
locking mechanism 15 is operatively integrated into the slidable
engagement between the first telescoping tube 13 and the second
telescoping tube 14, wherein the locking mechanism 15 is used to
fix the first telescoping tube 13 and the second telescoping tube
14 at a variety of offsetting distances. More specifically, the
preferred locking mechanism 15 comprises a plurality of slots that
is drilled along the length of first telescoping tube 13. A
positioning hole is drilled into a terminal portion of the second
telescoping tube 14. To lock the height of the first telescoping
tube 13, the positioning slot is aligned with a corresponding slot
from the plurality of slots. A pin is then inserted through the
positioning slot and the corresponding slot, thereby locking the
position of the first telescoping tube 13. By choosing a
corresponding slot located near the top or bottom of the first
telescoping tube 13, the user can lower or raise the effective
length of the first telescoping tube 13.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
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